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26 December 2021
Flagstaff, Arizona, USA, has been a leader in outdoor lighting policy for decades. There have been many policy decisions and implementations in the city since then to protect the night for public enjoyment and professional research, which has become an integral part of the community and regional identity.
Flagstaff made history on October 24, 2001, when the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition proposal led to the city’s recognition as the world’s first International Dark Sky City. Their goal was to protect the night sky as a natural resource and ensure that the city remained one of the world’s best places to observe astronomy.
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While in Flagstaff, you’ll notice that a lot of the lights in town are really yellow or dim and have little hats on them where all of the light shines down. This means little to no light pollution which means you could be walking around downtown Flagstaff and you can still see the Milky Way galaxy with your naked eye.
The program has grown and evolved over the years. Currently, there are more than 180 International Dark Sky Places across 21 countries, with many more working on their applications. There are a variety of dedications around the world, from communities like Flagstaff to an eco-park in South Korea and urban spots such as Palos Preserves, located just 25 kilometers from Chicago.
This advocacy is dedicated to the preservation of the night sky through various efforts including outdoor lighting ordinance, dark sky education, and gaining the citizens’ support. Flagstaff became the very first “Dark Sky City” in the world in 2001 as designated by the International Dark-Sky Association. The city is required to submit an annual report to the IDA which is completed and submitted by the city staff to maintain its prestigious accreditation.
Flagstaff is not the only dark sky community in the world but, being the first to gain the distinct honor of the Dark Sky City status, it has paved way for many more countries across the globe to take the preservation of their night skies more seriously.
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The city continues to strive to meet the standards concerning light pollution in line with their Dark Sky Advocacy. Flagstaff is a pioneer in the development and implementation of lighting codes or outdoor lighting standards through City Zoning Codes that balance the city’s dark sky preservation and the need for safe lighting practices. It also raises awareness on light pollution not only within its city but also in its neighboring towns.
It’s not just about seeing the night sky that makes international Dark Sky Places so special. These unique places help raise public awareness of the importance of the naturally dark night through outreach programs and regular press coverage. These Places also provide refuge for wildlife, such as bats, which are sensitive to artificial light at night. These organizations also help establish best practices for conservation worldwide and demonstrate quality outdoor lighting that is both efficient and effective. Dark Sky Places ensure that they are protecting the night sky for future generations by advocating for the recognition of light pollution as a growing, urgent, and global threat and providing solutions for curbing the growth of excessive and wasteful lighting.
Today, Flagstaff is among the most popular spots for star-gazing in all of America. This is all thanks to the local government and the citizen’s cooperation in implementing light restrictions to preserve their night skies. With the city’s continual effort, the majestic night sky of Flagstaff can be expected to still be well-preserved in the years to come.
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